This weekend field course, with a mixed setting of the Ucluelet Aquarium and the west coast of the Ucluelet peninsula, will introduce participants to the diversity and ecology of Pacific Northwest invertebrates. Topics to be covered in this year’s course include an introduction to invertebrates (What are they? What is their role in coastal ecology?), invertebrate biodiversity in the Pacific Northwest, morphology and adaptations of common phyla, and the interconnection between art and science.
We are thankful for having Laura Griffith-Cochran, curator of the Ucluelet Aquarium leading the weekend, & sharing her knowledge, expertise & aquarium, with us.
Course registration is $347 per person. (includes the Aquarium admission)
Friday, July 11th (7:00 pm – 8:30 pm)
- Presentation: discuss the ecosystems of the west coast, common invertebrates, and invertebrate life cycles in a human world.
Saturday, July 12th (8:00 am – 5:00 pm, with breaks)
Field trip to explore the intertidal zone on Ucluelet’s rocky coast.
- Practice naturalist skills, including fundamentals of invertebrate identification and characteristics of common phyla.
- Work on observational drawings at field site – bring journals and cameras to record habitat info.
- Head to the Ucluelet Aquariun to look carefully at certain invertebrates.
Sunday, July 13th (8:30 am – 1:00 pm)
Intertidal Exploration on Terrace Beach – putting it all togther!
- Identify invertebrates and their communities in nature.
- Course wrap-up
